“I feel like my prayers don’t make it past the ceiling.”

I’ve heard many people make that statement, including me.  You, too, may be familiar with the feeling that your prayers are ineffective.  We approach God repeatedly about an issue, but it seems as though He has turned a deaf ear. It feels He is nowhere near us.

Thankfully, our prayers do not have to get past the ceiling. God is with us on the same side of the ceiling. We do not have to send up our prayers to God who is sitting in some remote location.  No.  In fact, God has come to US, and realizing God is near can revolutionize our prayers.

Transcendent, Yet Near

Two big theological terms help us understand God in relation to our prayers.  The first term is transcendence.  The term means that God is above, beyond, and outside of all that we know and experience. 

We cannot contain God, know all there is to know about Him, nor harness His power and abilities.  God’s way and thoughts are above ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).  God is present everywhere all at the same time.  We cannot find ourselves anywhere God isn’t (Psalm 139:7-12). We cannot get to the bottom of God’s knowledge, power, or actions of God.  He is completely and totally unlimited in scope (Romans 11:33-36).

Since God stands above and beyond His creation, He is able to handle whatever we bring to Him in prayer.  He is not subject to the laws of nature He created.  He is not bound by time nor space.  We pray to an all-mighty, all-knowing, all-present God.  He created heavens by His great power and the earth by His outstretched arm.  Nothing is too difficult for Him (Jeremiah 32:17).

Because God is transcendent, He is also near. Because He is at the same time everywhere, He is where we are.  And He is there when we are.  We can pray with confidence that God hears our prayers because He is near to us when and where we pray.

Immanent and Near

The second theological concept is God’s immanence.  The word means “to be near.”  Even though God is over and above all of His creation, He chooses to draw near and reveal Himself to us.  (Isaiah 57:15)

As you read this, radio waves are bouncing all around you. The music and talk from those stations fills the air of the room in which you sit.  Even when you can’t hear them, they are there.  That is like God’s transcendence. 

But if you have a radio, you can tune into the specific frequencies and hear the radio waves.  The radio station does not send the signal in response to your receiver.  The signal is already there.  Your receiver allows you to tune in and interact with those waves.  That is like God’s immanence.  He is always where you are, but you only realize He is near when you “dial in” to His presence.

Praying Confidently

Because God is near, there are four truths that give us confidence in our prayer.

First, God knows.  Whatever is going on in your life, God knows about it. His understanding is infinitely beyond measure. (Psalm 147:5)

Second, God sees.  Nothing going on with you or to you has escaped His sight.  (Proverbs 15:3)

Third, God hears.  You may think God is ignoring you or not listening.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Do not mistake God’s silence for indifference.  He is listening. (1 Peter 3:12)

Finally, God acts.  He may not answer when you thought He would or how you thought He would.  But rest assured, at the right time and in the right way, He will act. (Romans 8:28)

Pray confidently. God is both everywhere and right there.  At the same time.

For further reading: 7 Elements of Prayer that Connects with God